EP2722442B1 - Safety device with impact absorption for road shoulders - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shock absorbing safety device for a road shoulder, for example for highway or automobile circuit, comprising at least one longitudinal longitudinal rail supported by a series of poles.

There are currently on the edges of certain roads, especially national roads, highways or motor circuits, safety devices forming a barrier barrier to the vehicle (motorcycles, cars, utilities, trucks), including accident or loss of control (brake and / or steering), to be slowed down and / or stopped in its race, in particular to avoid a fall or to hit a dangerous obstacle (wall, tree for example).

In the particular case of automobile racing circuits, these devices limit the maximum human and material consequences in case of high-speed road exit of vehicles.

The devices currently used may consist of walls of concrete or be in the form of barriers made of wood or metal. In the last widespread case, the barriers typically comprise one or more rails substantially parallel to the road and supported by posts spaced solidly sunk or screwed vertically into the ground.

The document DE 88 05 021 U1 shows a safety device disposed on pads 20 and having rails 2 to 5.

Depending on the type of road (departmental, national, highway, racing circuit), its dangerousness (presence of bend, potentially slippery road, steep slope), the surrounding natural hazards (trees, body of water, precipice, dwelling, rocks ) or the speed allowed, the safety device is more or less distant from the edge, the posts are more or less close together, and the rails extend from the ground or at a certain height thereof.

In case of shock, the vehicle decelerates very suddenly so that all the kinetic energy accumulated by the speed and the weight must be absorbed in a very short time. Most modern vehicles have reinforcing zones or, on the contrary, deformable zones allowing a better absorption of the shock so that the occupants undergo the least possible traumatism.

However, these solutions are not entirely satisfactory because the safety of passengers of vehicles and / or people behind the barrier (race stewards, photographers, spectators) is not optimized.

In addition, the current systems are real walls in case of shock. Thus, it is the vehicle and its driver that absorb a large part of the shock due to a violent deceleration over a short distance.

An object of the present invention is therefore to solve the problems mentioned above, using a simple replacement solution to manufacture, inexpensive, easy to use and optimized in terms of efficiency.

Thus, the subject of the present invention is a roadside shock absorbing safety device, for example for a motorway or automobile circuit, comprising at least one frontal longitudinal rail supported by a series of posts erected from the ground, each post resting on a pad totally disengaged from the ground so that, under the effect of a frontal impact exceeding a certain threshold, the safety device retreats on the ground by sliding characterized in that a back basket is disposed above the pad and forms a receptacle for receiving more or less heavy ballast loads.

It will be understood from the reading of these characteristics that the device is based on the principle of shock absorption by progressive and controlled recoil, whereas the barriers or walls of the prior art are designed and installed to never move, to give way. or retreat, whatever the violence of shocks they must undergo because they have rigid and unshakeable elements.

• le patin présente des extrémités recourbées dans une direction opposée au sol ;
• le dispositif comporte en outre un moyen frontal d'absorption des chocs par déformation disposé entre chaque poteau et le rail de sécurité ;
• le moyen frontal d'absorption des chocs comprend au moins un cylindre déformable transversalement par écrasement ;
• le moyen frontal d'absorption des chocs comporte une série de deux ou trois cylindres parallèles entre eux et s'étendant longitudinalement sensiblement perpendiculairement au poteau associé ;
• chaque cylindre est constitué par une feuille de métal enroulée sur elle-même puis vissée ou soudée sur le poteau associé ;
• le panier est fixé solidement au poteau et repose sur le patin ;
• le dispositif comporte également au moins un arceau dorsal disposé au-dessus du patin et destiné à recevoir un organe de protection souple et déformable, en particulier dans le cas où le dispositif percute des personnes en reculant lors du choc ;
• l'organe souple de protection est un coussin gonflable tel qu'un matelas pneumatique ;
• le rail longitudinal comporte deux ou trois rubans métalliques superposés verticalement ;
• le dispositif est en outre muni d'un moyen de limitation de déplacement quand il glisse ; et
• le moyen de limitation de déplacement est un câble fixé au sol et lié à la plaque ou au poteau pour restreindre le recul du dispositif au moment du choc d'une distance réglable selon la place disponible.

According to preferred embodiments, the device according to the present invention comprises at least one of the following characteristics:

• the shoe has curved ends in a direction opposite to the ground;
• the device further comprises a frontal means of shock absorption by deformation disposed between each post and the safety rail;
• the frontal shock absorbing means comprises at least one crushable transversely deformable cylinder;
• the frontal shock absorbing means comprises a series of two or three cylinders parallel to each other and extending longitudinally substantially perpendicularly to the associated post;
• each cylinder is constituted by a sheet of metal wound on itself and then screwed or welded to the associated pole;
• the basket is firmly attached to the post and rests on the skate;
• the device also comprises at least one dorsal hoop disposed above the pad and intended to receive a flexible and deformable protection member, in particular in the case where the device impacts on people retreating during impact;
• the flexible protective member is an airbag such as an air mattress;
• the longitudinal rail comprises two or three metal ribbons superposed vertically;
• the device is further provided with a displacement limiting means when it slides; and
• the displacement limiting means is a cable fixed to the ground and connected to the plate or the post to restrict the recoil of the device at the moment of impact by an adjustable distance depending on the space available.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un dispositif de sécurité conforme à la présente invention, et
• La figure 2 est une autre vue en perspective partielle du dispositif.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to particular embodiments given by way of illustration only and represented in the appended figures in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety device according to the present invention, and
• The figure 2 is another partial perspective view of the device.

The figures 1 and 2 represent a safety device 1 intended to be disposed on the shoulders of roads such as national roads, motorways or automobile circuits.

This device 1 comprises a pad 2 resting on the ground 20 (preferably hard coating identical or similar to that of the road), for example a thick metal plate. This plate 2 has a rear edge 3, and possibly before 4, curved towards the sky, away from the ground, to allow its sliding during an impact as will be explained later.

A metal post 5, for example H-section, is welded to the plate. This post 5 supports a number of cylinders 6 superimposed vertically, in this case three in number. These cylinders 6 support a safety rail 7 welded and / or firmly screwed, typically made of one or more longitudinal steel strips 7a, 7b and 7c. The cylinders 6 are also made from a steel strip wound on itself and act as a means shock absorption by transverse deformation (crushing).

At the rear of the pole (5) is a dorsal basket 8 for receiving more or less significant ballast loads. The basket 8 is fixed firmly to the post and rests on the metal pad 2.

The rear of the post 5 also comprises arches 9, typically at least two, forming a void area with said post 5 to receive a flexible and deformable protection member (not shown) such as a pneumatic mat.

The device 1 further comprises a sliding displacement limitation means such as a cable 10 (preferably relaxed) connected to the ground 20.

The operation of the device according to the present invention is as follows.

Plates 2 supporting column / cylinder assemblies are arranged for example every 10 meters on the edges of a road or a motor circuit and support a safety rail 7. The device 1 reacts according to the force of the shock, and therefore in proportion to the speed (squared) and the mass of the vehicle that hits it.

In case of low shock, the cylinders absorb the energy by folding by transverse crushing, without moving the whole. The vehicle then slides along the rail 7 without damage (only the "crumpled sheet").

In the case of a medium impact, the assembly closest to the shock recoils (with simultaneous crushing of the cylinders absorbing part of the energy), that is to say that the corresponding device 1 slides on the ground via the skid 2, the rail 7 acting as a non-aggressive flexible "scarf" forming a loop blank in which the vehicle will slide and slow down gradually.

In the event of a violent impact, several devices 1 slide backward, driven by the vehicle, which will gradually stop along the safety rail. The retreat of the safety device closest to the impact causes the recoil of other neighboring devices via the metal ribbons connecting them to each other. The decline will be more or less important depending on the speed / mass of the vehicle and the weight of ballast contained in the basket 8 which generates a kind of "against energy" of gradual decline.

This solution allows, depending on the nature of the shock, to avoid a sudden stop of the vehicle which is a significant cause of the effects of the occupants (because the absorption of energy is not progressive over time). The vehicle does not hit a completely rigid or unshakable obstacle, so stop is progressive, as the absorption of energy due to impact.

In the particular case of a motor racing circuit where the safety of people behind the rails (spectators, race marshals and their assistants, photographers) is very important, the device 1 comprises, held by the hoops, a protective member flexible and deformable. Thus, in the event of impact, during the retreat of the device (s), the persons behind the rails are not in direct contact with dangerous elements of the device such as the posts 5 or the basket 8 filled with its load (cast iron , breeze blocks, stones, rubble, etc.)

Some devices 1 may also be equipped with an element 10 limiting the recoil, this in particular to avoid that they strike people (spectators during a race) or an unshakable obstacle (wall, electricity pole, etc.). The length of the cable 10 fixed to the ground 20 varies according to the available space and the position reserved for the spectators, but can be from a few centimeters / tens of centimeters to several meters. However, according to the principle of the invention, the device 1 of the present invention remains independent of the ground 20 on which it rests, that is to say that it is not fixed relative to the latter, even in the presence of a means of limitation of movement.

The solution implemented in this invention also makes it possible to avoid the phenomenon of rebound after the shock which would send an already damaged vehicle and its debris (glass, metal) towards the road or the track, which would entail major additional risks of collision for other drivers or drivers. In this case, the vehicle is "soft" cushioned and is not returned to the road.

Finally, in a secondary but nevertheless non-negligible manner, this solution allows, in the specific context of a motor race (mainly on a circuit provided for this purpose and equipped with the device of the invention) to save on the repairs to be made ( vehicles less damaged than in the past), to preserve the sporting interest of the race (avoid or limit stops in the event that a vehicle and its debris find themselves projected on the circuit), to bring the spectators closer to the track (because the rail is advanced compared to what is currently done where the security devices are remote in the areas where spectators are present) and offer advertising or service locations easily usable and readable (flat surface of the rail placed "more close to the track).

It goes without saying that the detailed description of the object of the invention, given solely by way of illustration, does not in any way constitute a limitation, the technical equivalents also being included in the scope of the present invention.

Thus, the number of cylinders can vary according to the height of the device and the posts, it can be greater or less than 3. Their diameter as well as the thickness of the used strap and their general shape can also vary.

The mattress can be replaced by an inflatable balloon.

Pieces of flame retardant fabric can be stretched between the baskets of two adjacent devices to, in the event of impact, gently push the people behind the rails.

Claims (12)

1. Safety device with impact absorption (1) for road shoulders, for exemple for a motorway or motor racing track, comprising at least one frontal longitudinal safety rail (7) supported by a series of posts (5) raised up from the ground, each post (5) resting on a pad (2) entirely detached from the ground so that, under the effect of a frontal impact exceeding a certain threshold, the safety device (1) recoils by sliding on the ground, characterised in that a rear basket (8) is disposed above the pad (2) and forms a receptacle to receive ballasting loads of carious weights.
2. Device as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the basket (8) is fixedly attached to the post (5) and rests on the pad (2).
3. Device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the pad (2) has ends (3, 4) curved away from the ground.
4. Device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises a frontal means (6) for absorbing impacts by deformation, this being disposed between each post (5) and the safety rail (7).
5. Device as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the frontal impact-absorbing means comprises at least one cylinder (6) which can be deformed transversely by crushing.
6. Device as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that the frontal impact-absorbing means comprises a series of two or three cylinders (6) which are in parallel with each other and extend longitudinally substantially perpendicular to the associated post (5).
7. Device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 6, characterised in that each cylinder (6) is formed by a sheet of metal wound on itself then screwed and/or welded to the associated post (5),
8. Device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it also comprises at least one rear arch (9) disposed above the pad (2) and intended to receive a flexible and deformable protective member, in particular in the case where the device strikes people when recoiling upon impact.
9. Device as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that the flexible protective member is an inflatable cushion such as a pneumatic mat.
10. Device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the longitudinal rail (7) comprises two or three vertically superimposed metal strips.
11. Device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it is also fitted with a means (10) for limiting displacement by sliding.
12. Device as claimed in claim 11, characterised in that the means for limiting displacement is a cable fixed to the ground (20) and linked to the pad (2) or to the post (5) to restrict the recoil of the device (1) upon impact by a distance which can be adjusted according to the space available,

Images